Getting set up with a Medicare plan when you turn 65 is actually a requirement. There are exceptions if you have coverage elsewhere – EXCLUDING health plans set up on ACA (Obamacare) exchanges, but if you do, you have other sources of counseling to get the details. This article is for the majority of people who are eligible for Medicare and need to know the exact rules surrounding that program.
True or False: Memory Loss means Dementia?
The fact is that 40 percent of adults over the age of 65 suffer from memory loss. This is known as “age-associated memory impairment”. Unless there is an obvious underlying medical condition causing this memory loss, it is simply a part of the normal aging process.
On the other hand, brain diseases such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease do not fit into this category. They are not a normal part of the aging process.
So, how do you know the difference?
Continue reading “True or False: Memory Loss means Dementia?”
Respite Reminder
If you care for a loved one, whether in their home or in yours, you know it is a full-time job. And, because it is a job to be taken seriously, it is not simply 9 to 5. Sometimes it can last 24-hours a day. This can be IS exhausting. Often caregivers in this situation are so dedicated to the task that they allow their own physical and mental health to suffer.
Gifting Your Assets to Family or Friends
Some people are blessed with the opportunity to share some of their accumulated wealth with younger family members. Unfortunately, Uncle Sam always has his greedy little hands out to spoil the enjoyment. Fortunately, the rules have become much more liberal and easier with which to comply.
Tax Benefits from Caring for an Elderly Loved-one
Whether you manage the care of an elderly family member or obtain professional in-home care, there are some tax benefits for doing so. The IRS has different options for your consideration and, of course, there are certain requirements that must be met.
Continue reading “Tax Benefits from Caring for an Elderly Loved-one”
Bonding with Your Homecare Provider
The only way many people can stay in their homes rather than an institution like a nursing home or similar retirement community is to retain the assistance of a homecare agency. Doing so ensures that older adults who need support can stay in the comfort of their own homes as long as it is practical. Continue reading “Bonding with Your Homecare Provider”
Long Term Care – An Important Investment
Many people reading this article are dealing with issues and topics relating to in-home care of older persons. And, in economic terms, once an individual has become of a certain age and level of infirmity, long term care insurance is impractical – if it is even available.
Estate Planning Mini-Dictionary
Estate Planning can be very confusing to the layman. Much of that confusion is due to a bevy of terms that are not used in common conversation by many people who are not lawyers. Because the language can be confusing, even asking a question can result in an answer that can be just as confusing. This brief article will give you a simple-to-understand list of those terms you will need when you discuss various topics relating to planning your estate with an estate planning attorney.
When to Ask for the Keys to the Car
Car driving is a lifeline for many seniors. It is the basis for their independence allowing them to visit friends and family, access areas of activity such as shopping and participate in activities in the community — until such freedom risks their lives and others’.
Home Care vs. Institutionalized Care
In the past, it has been common for seniors to abandon their homes of many years and move into assisted living facilities or nursing homes. The consequent feelings of anonymity an isolation are common with such a dramatic transfer. These days, however, it is far more emotionally satisfying and economically pragmatic to allow seniors to age in their own homes with the added layer of support provided by in-home care which is widely available.